“Will you be here when I wake up?”
“They’d have to drag me out.”
I believed him.
And I finally slipped off to sleep.
CHAPTER 14
VASILY
Getting through the airport and security was never fun under the best of circumstances. When one of us was on crutches, the other had his mouth wired shut, and we were both hopped up on pain meds? Not great.
Fortunately, Ryan and another staff member were flying with us. They helped us both navigate checking in, getting through security, clearing customs, and finding our gate.
By the time we’d reached our gate, my injured leg was throbbing mercilessly, and my other hip and knee were pissed off too. Taylor looked even more miserable than I felt. His face was swollen and bruised, and I knew from experience that having the jaw wired shut was uncomfortable as hell. Especially when it was still sore from being freshly broken.
I eased into the chair beside his and leaned my crutches against the one beside me. “How do you feel?”
The miserable sound he made was answer enough.
Ryan peered down at both of us. “Well, I’d say don’t go anywhere, but I think I’d be preaching to the choir. Do either of you need anything?”
I shook my head. So did Taylor, though the gesture was subtle.
Ryan nodded. “All right. I’ll be back.” He and the staffer left, probably in search of food.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” I asked Taylor. “I know there isn’t much you can eat, but…”
He gave another subtle shake of his head. “I want coffee, but I can’t have anything hotorcold yet.”
I grimaced. “That sucks.”
“Eh.” He shrugged tightly. “Not much I can do about it.”
“I’m sorry. And I hate that you got hurt because of me.” I paused, then chuckled. “Though, fighting for my honor? That’s kind of romantic.”
He rolled his eyes and gave a quiet huff of laughter; probably the best he could do with his face swollen and his jaw wired shut.
“Seriously, you didn’t have to.” I paused. “But I did watch the replay. You’re hot when you’re angry.”
That made him laugh a little harder, which made him wince.
I grimaced. “Sorry.”
“Eh. I was thinking the same about you. You just score when you’re mad. I…” He gestured like he was punching someone.
“I do that too sometimes.”
He eyed me, some interest sparking in his expression despite the pain and swelling.
I just laughed. “Aftermy knee heals. Again.”
That got me a subtle smile. Even with his face bruised and puffy, his faint smile was adorable. God, I was so ridiculous for this man already.
Though we were out in the open, I slipped my hand into his. “Well. For the moment, I guess we have time. You know, to just be together before we’re reactivated.”
Taylor turned to me, his eyes endearingly pitiful above his swollen cheeks. “I won’t be able to do much with my mouth.”
